Harajiro (white belly of the rice grain)

Harajiro (腹白) refers to an opaque white area found on the belly of a rice grain. Unlike shinpaku (the white core at the center of the grain), this area is prone to breaking during the rice polishing process. Rice with harajiro can see its overall quality affected, and in sake brewing in particular there is concern about its effect on the quality of the sake. To brew good sake, it is desirable to remove as much of the harajiro as possible during polishing.